Question

Find the length of side xx in simplest radical form with a rational denominator.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The Pythagorean triple for a 45-45-90 triangle, which this is BTW is, in terms of the pattern: (x, x, x√2) where each x is the length of a side across from a 45 degree angle and x√2 is the side length across from the 90 degree angle (this side is also known as the hypotenuse). If the hypotenuse is 3 units long, and the pattern for the hypotenuse is x√2, we can solve for x, the sides across from the 45 degree angles, by setting 3 equal to its pattern for the hypotenuse:

`3=x√(2)` so

`x=(3)/(√(2) )= (3√(2) )/(2)`

Answer 2

x = 3sqrt(2)/2

Explanation:

Since this is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem

a^2+b^2 = c^2 where a and b are the legs and c is the hypotenuse

The two legs are equal, x

x^2 + x^2 = 3^2

2x^2 = 9

Divide each side by 2

x^2 = 9/2

Take the square root of each side

sqrt(x^2) = sqrt(9/2)

x = sqrt(9)/ sqrt(2)

x = 3 / sqrt(2)

x = 3 sqrt(2) / sqrt(2)*sqrt(2)

x = 3sqrt(2)/2